Binghamton University's Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Partnerships manages programs to provide opportunities for students, researchers and entrepreneurial members of the regional business ecosystem. These programs provide resources and guidance startups need to succeed, expanding on the beneficial facilities offered.
Since its inception in 2017, companies have raised over $167 million in funding and created 377 jobs, supporting regional economic development.
Students, individuals, teams or researchers interested in these programs are encouraged to inquire about how E&IP can best support your venture. Programs within our office are as follows:
THE CLEAN ENERGY INCUBATOR
The Clean Energy Incubatorexists within the Koffman Incubator. The SCI program leverages deep research and development resources at Binghamton University and the Koffman Incubator to offer a full suite of mentoring, networking, training and technical support to emerging clean energy companies.
The program is funded by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), and SCI strives to start, attract and grow clean energy companies to drive economic growth and further New York State's ambitious clean energy goals.
BUSINESS INCUBATOR PROGRAM
Koffman's Business Incubator Program provides mentorship, guidance and resources to early-stage entrepreneurs and start-ups seeking to grow their venture. Mentors work one-on-one with entrepreneurs to refine business concepts and expand their operations. Businesses across various sectors are involved in the program including: app and website development, deep technology, AI/software, food and agriculture, cannabis, and more. Membership options are available both in person and virtually, making Koffman programming accessible to entrepreneurs everywhere.
EQUITY IN INNOVATION TRAINING SERIES
Equity in Innovation is a three phase entrepreneurial training series as part of the New Energy New York initiative. Started during the COVID-19 pandemic as a collaboration initiative between the Koffman and the Support Black Business 607 (SBB607) Facebook community, the training series is open to minority entrepreneurs, including Black-Indigenous-Persons of Color (BIPOC), members of the LGBTQ+ community, women, immigrants and members of rural communities from Binghamton to Corning, NY. The series aims to increase minority utilization throughout the battery supply chain is and encourage minority entrepreneurs to launch and accelerate new or existing businesses. All classes are held in person at the Koffman Southern Tier Incubator.
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION I-CORPS
The I-Corps program is for undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty and staff with research-based concepts looking to progress their research. Research can originate from student work, research (funded or unfunded), institutional or industrial projects. National Science Foundation resources combine with Binghamton University's to provide infrastructure, advice, networking opportunities, training and funding to bring research from the lab to market.
Through the use of short-courses, the I-Corps program will determine potential customers for specific research and explore the business model canvas to understand the viability of launching a startup. Upon completion of the I-Corps program, participants are eligible to apply for the NSF I-Corps Team National program (an intensive six-week NSF training with the opportunity to be awarded a $50,000 grant) as well as many other funding opportunities.
START-UP NY
START-UP NY offers new and expanding businesses the opportunity to operate tax-free for 10 years on or near eligible university or college campuses in New York State.
By partnering with Binghamton University through this program, businesses gain direct access to advanced research laboratories, development resources and experts in key industries in addition to the tax incentives.
Since 2013, more than 200 companies have made use of START-UP NY, and the program has resulted in more than 4,000 jobs and over $200 million in investment in companies' respective communities, according to the state.
To be eligible for the program, businesses must operate inside New York or be willing to relocate to the state. Once approved, businesses enjoy the benefits of research facilities within the universities, development resources and experts in industries relevant to their field.
THE App and Website ACCELERATOR PROGRAM
Koffman’s App and Website Accelerator is aimed at entrepreneurs looking to utilize modern business practices to evolve their exsisting app or website into one that truly fits their customer’s needs. This course teaches participants how to design with the customer as the main influence and what elements to incorporate to set their platform apart from the competition. Participants learn what functions their app or website needs for their desired MVP (minimal viable product) and learn design and aesthetic trends.
SOFT LANDING NEW YORK PROGRAM
The Soft Landing New York Program offered by the Koffman provides the tools and connections needed by foreign start-ups and entrepreneurs to establish a strong business foundation in the United States. The program assists participants in evaluating and navigating their way into the U.S. market, setting up operations and successfully integrating into the regional economy. Participants receive one-on-one mentorship from Koffman staff and have access to additional workshops and training covering topics such as intellectual property, marketing, customer discovery, and more.
XCEED
The XCEED program is a $750,000 project awarded by the Economic Development Administration. The program aims to transform Greater Binghamton into a center of Cleantech innovation, focusing on translating academic discoveries and supporting student entrepreneurship.
XCEED provides undergraduate internships and a three-phase experiential entrepreneurship fellowship program for graduate students to learn about development and commercialization of Cleantech innovations.
EMPOWERST
empowerST, a NYSERDA-funded, first-of-its-kind battery accelerator program at Binghamton University, provides salary and R&D funding alongside entrepreneurship training, startup company support and access to the fast-growing regional battery cluster for nascent entrepreneurs wanting to commercialize novel battery technologies. Fellows will work as part of the NorthEast Center for Chemical Energy Storage directed by 2019 Nobel Laureate M. Stanley Whittingham and receive strategic commercialization support from the Southern Tier Clean Energy Incubator program to maximize the business potential of their technologies.
